December 2, 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) announced today it will offer special coverage as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) elects its new national leader. The APTN National News team will be on location to report on this historic event as it unfolds on December 9 – 11 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

This special coverage will feature daily on-site reports, live breaking news and special editions of APTN InFocus, Face to Face and Nation to Nation and will shine light on the future of the AFN.

APTN National News – Special Edition
Extra half-hour of AFN National Chief election coverage from December 9 -11, in addition to daily newscast.

Tuesday, December 9 and Wednesday, December 10 – LIVE
4:00 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD / 3:00 p.m. CT on APTN North / 2:00 p.m. MT on APTN West

Thursday, December 11
4:00 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD / 4:00 p.m. CT on APTN North / 4:00 p.m. MT on APTN West

APTN InFocus
The AFN was formed in response to the overwhelming rejection of the 1969 White Paper which sought to assimilate First Peoples and extinguish inherent rights. Has the AFN strayed from its roots? Has it been too consumed with closed door meetings where legislative changes for First Nations by the federal government lead the way?

An exclusive APTN InFocus guest panel will be LIVE on location to give their perspective on the matter and to react to the election of the new National Chief. Panel members include:

Arthur Manuel, former Chief of the Neskonlith Indian Band and the son of George Manuel who was a leader in the Constitutional Express that ensured Aboriginal rights and title were recognized in the 1982 Constitution Act;

Russell Diabo, Mohawk from Kahnawake, and Publisher and Editor of the First Nations Strategic Bulletin;

Cheryl Maloney, President of the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association and daughter of Reginald Maloney, the long-time Chief of the Mi’Kmaq Shubenacadie Band who took his fight for treaty rights all the way to the Supreme Court and won; and

Joan Jack, Anishinaabekwe from Beren’s River First Nation in Manitoba; Lawyer and previous AFN National Chief candidate.

Wednesday, December 10 – LIVE on location
6:30 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD / 6:30 p.m. CT on APTN North / 6:30 p.m. MT on APTN West
Face to Face
APTN’s Michael Hutchison takes us inside the AFN. He’ll speak to Chief Operating Officer Peter Dinsdale about the organization’s inner workings, how they are surviving budget cuts and for an insider’s look at how the election works.

Tuesday, December 9 – On location
6:30 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD / 6:30 p.m. CT on APTN North / 6:30 p.m. MT on APTN West
Nation to Nation
Canada’s only Indigenous political affairs show offers an analysis of the AFN election. We look to the future and ask: is unity possible? Can the organization survive? What else will be priorities for the newly elected National Chief?

Thursday, December 11 – On location
6:30 p.m. ET on APTN East and HD / 6:30 p.m. CT on APTN North / 6:30 p.m. MT on APTN West